Device for connecting a dentistry handpiece or contra-angle on a support

Abstract

A support for a dentistry handpiece or contra-angle is connected to a dental unit, such as a motor, including apparatus for the supply of water and air for spraying the working point of the supported handpiece of contra-angle and, if desired, apparatus for supplying electric current to bulbs situated in the head of the handpiece or contra-angle for lighting in the working point and/or fibre optics. The rear face of the support is provided with a projecting ring of insulating material and the motor includes an annular hollow form for receiving the ring when the support is mounted to the motor.

We claim: 
     
       1. A device connecting a support for a dentistry handpiece or contra-angle to a dental unit, wherein the dental unit includes means for supplying water and air for spraying a working point, and means for supplying lighting to head portions of the handpiece or contra-angle, and wherein the connecting device comprises: a ring formed of an insulating material and projecting from rear face portions of the support;   an annular hollow formed in the dental unit for receiving the ring when the support is mounted to the dental unit;   a notch formed in the ring and a lug projecting from the dental unit, for interlocking engagement to establish and maintain a relative angular positioning of the support relative to the dental unit;   water and air channels longitudinally emerging from the ring, for engaging water and air tubes longitudinally extending from the dental unit, for supplying the water and air for spraying the working point; and   female contacts radially positioned on the support, for engaging male contacts axially extending from the dental unit, for supplying the lighting to the head portions of the handpiece or contra-angle.   
     
     
       2. The connecting device of claim 1 wherein the dental unit is a motor for operating the handpiece or contra-angle. 
     
     
       3. The connecting device of claim 1 wherein the tubes and the male contacts do not project beyond the annular hollow. 
     
     
       4. The connecting device of claim 1 wherein the tubes and the channels are placed in leakproof engagement by cylindrical seals received within the ring, for compression by the tubes when the support is mounted to the dental unit. 
     
     
       5. The connecting device of claim 1 wherein the dental unit includes a connecting bush formed in accordance with ISO standard 3964, and integral with front face portions of the dental unit. 
     
     
       6. The connecting device of claim 5 wherein the integral connecting bush is formed of a moldable insulating material. 
     
     
       7. A dentistry handpiece or contra-angle which comprises a connecting element in accordance with claim 1. 
     
     
       8. The connecting device of claim 1 wherein the ring is attached to the rear face portions of the support. 
     
     
       9. The connecting device of claim 1 wherein the notch cuts across the ring and the lug extends across the annular hollow. 
     
     
       10. A device connecting a support for a dentistry handpiece or contra-angle to a dental unit, wherein the dental unit includes means for supplying water and air for spraying a working point, and means for supplying lighting to head portions of the handpiece or contra-angle, and wherein the connecting device comprises: a ring formed of an insulating material, attached to and projecting from rear face portions of the support;   an annular hollow formed in the dental unit for receiving the ring when the support is mounted to the dental unit;   a notch cutting across the ring and a lug extending across the annular hollow and projecting from the dental unit, for interlocking engagement to establish and maintain a relative angular positioning of the support relative to the dental unit;   water and air channels longitudinally emerging from the ring, for engaging water and air tubes longitudinally extending from the dental unit, for supplying the water and air for spraying the working point; and   female contacts radially positioned on the support, for engaging male contacts axially extending from the dental unit, for supplying the lighting to the head portions of the handpiece or contra-angle;   wherein the tubes and the male contacts do not project beyond the annular hollow, and wherein the tubes and the channels are placed in leakproof engagement by cylindrical seals received within the ring, for compression by the tubes when the support is mounted to the dental unit.